The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Objective To determine the prevalence of smoking among mineworkers in Transkei region of South Africa.

Method This study is a retrospective study carried out at Umtata General Hospital between 1993 and 1999. Mineworkers' smoking history was recorded on the radiographs along with years of mining.

Results Out of 466 mineworkers, 368 (79%) had a history of smoking. There were 97(21%) non-smokers (NS), 226(48%) ex-smokers (ES) and 143(31%) current smokers (S). The ex-smokers, smokers and non-smokers were in the ratio of 5:3:2. There were 89(20%) smokers in the 40-59 year age group.

Out of those who worked for less than 10 years, 5% were smokers, 17% of those who worked for 20 years were smokers but among those who worked for 30 years and over only 3% smoked.

Conclusion The prevalence of smoking is high (79%) among mineworkers. It is highest in middle age group (40-59 years), and in those who worked between10 to 19 years.

No conflict of interest and disclosure: None.

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